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24.07.15 AHP Merkle strengthened role as a family enterprise

Katrin Merkle appointed to management – Christen Merkle is the sole shareholder

The hydraulics experts AHP Merkle are setting the course for the future. CEO Christian Merkle is now the sole shareholder of the company. His wife Katrin Merkle has now also been appointed to the management.

That completes the handover to the second generation. "I am rather happy that we have found a robust configuration for the family", company founder Gerhard Merkle comments. His son and daughter-in-law will design the transformation, and along new technologies. "It was important to me to establish a clear line on how to proceed with the company. And this we managed to achieve," as the founder continues.

Katrin Merkle has been with the company for eight years now. In the outset, she worked as an executive assistant, but she has taken on an increasing range of tasks over the years. Since early May, the mother of six has been appointed to the management board, and will be primarily tasked with the active shaping of the Human Resource (HR) department.

Christen Merkle has been the CEO of the company, which was founded by his father Gerhard Merkle in 1973, since 1998. The founder is still present as managing director; his primary focus is on product development and optimization. "Digital manufacturing is a big issue for the future ahead," Christen Merkle remarks.

"We have always been a family business," he adds. "From day one, it was with us always a joint venture operated by both my father and my mother. We are now continuing this tradition. The chances of continuing into a third generation are good, thanks to our big family!"

AHP Merkle develops, designs and manufactures high-quality hydraulic cylinders with global prestige. The company employs approximately 150 people at the main site in Gottenheim, southern Baden. Another fifteen employees (and growing) are employed in the Chinese sales offices in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Katrin Merkle, Director at AHP Merkle GmbH

Gerhard, Katrin and Christian Merkle are in charge of AHP Merkle operations